1. San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith (jr.), QB, Utah
A smart player who will pick up an NFL system quickly, Smith has good size, is mobile enough to hurt teams with his running ability and is also an efficient passer who can make all the necessary throws.

2. Miami Dolphins: Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
A strong, tough runner with good speed for his size, Benson would help fill the void left by the retirement of Ricky Williams. But there is speculation the Dolphins will attempt to fill their running back need through trade, perhaps for Buffalo's Travis Henry, so stay tuned.

3. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Rodgers (jr.), QB, California
Rodgers is a smart, accurate passer with a quick release. His arm strength is adequate and he is a better prospect at this point in his career than former Cal QB Kyle Boller, now the starter for the Baltimore Ravens.

4. Chicago Bears: Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan
Edwards has the size, speed and athleticism to take over games, and he did that several times in 2004. He also significantly cut down on dropped passes and concentration lapses this past season, pushing his stock even higher.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carnell Wiliams, RB, Auburn
A creative, deceptive runner with tremendous natural skills. Williams can get tough yards inside despite lacking ideal size, a point illustrated by his 29 rushing TDs over the last two years. Was also coached by Tampa head coach Jon Gruden in the Senior Bowl.

6. Tennessee Titans: Adam Jones, CB, West Virginia
A good cover man who will also contribute as a kick returner, Jones has very good closing speed and is a willing tackler in run support. That may be his most important quality with the NFL hurting pass defenses by focusing on downfield infractions by defensive backs.

7. Oakland Raiders: Dan Cody, DE, Oklahoma
A fiery, intense player who always goes all-out, Cody is similar to former NFL standout Kevin Greene in his ability to play on his feet as an outside linebacker, or in a three-point stance as a defensive end.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Ronnie Brown, RB, Auburn
Perhaps the most complete back in the draft, Brown can carry or catch the ball with equal skill. He has size, instincts and quickness that allowed him to put up excellent numbers at the college level.

9. Washington Redskins: Mike Williams (jr.), WR, USC
Williams did not play in 2004 but dominated the college game for two seasons while at USC. His 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame gives him a big advantage over defensive backs, and he has excellent hands. Would be a great help in the development of quarterback Patrick Ramsey and help take some pressure off Clinton Portis in the running game.

10. Detroit Lions: Marcus Spears, DE, LSUSpears boosted his stock immensely with an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl. He showcased his speed, strength and athleticism against some of the best offensive linemen in the nation, and his size would make him a welcome addition for a team that needs to boost its pass rush.

11. Dallas Cowboys: Travis Johnson, DT, Florida State
Spends a lot of time in opposing backfields after collapsing the pocket or gaining penetration against the run. Came on strong and raised his stock significantly during his senior year.

12. San Diego Chargers (from NYG): Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas
Has the speed and strength to chase ball carriers from sideline to sideline and make things happen when he gets to the ball.

13. Houston Texans: Troy Williamson (jr.), WR, South Carolina
Perhaps the fastest wideout in the draft, Williamson would be a nice complement to budding superstar and physical wideout Andre Johnson.

14. Carolina Panthers: Alex Barron, OT, Florida State
With light feet for a player his size, Barron is a consistent blocker who is equally adept in both the pass and run games.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Shawne Merriman (jr.), DE/OLB, Maryland
A workout warrior who would help shore up a defensive line that had trouble pressuring the quarterback last season. Expect Kansas City to commit nearly its entire draft to the defensive side of the ball.

16. New Orleans Saints: Brodney Pool (jr.), S, Oklahoma
A complete safety who excels in coverage and is more than adequate in run support, Pool has excellent size, covers a lot of ground and shows good anticipation in diagnosing plays.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Roddy White, WR, UAB
A big-play wideout who averaged 20.0 yards per catch last season, White's combination of size and speed is in the elite category.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Cody, DL, USC
A versatile lineman who can play end or tackle, and was a leader on the nation's best rush defense..

19. St. Louis Rams: Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
Has to answer questions about his durability, but when healthy, James was a force along the line who commanded double-team blocks on a regular basis.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from BUF): Antrell Rolle, CB, Miami
A good cover man who did not see a lot of balls thrown his way in 2004, Rolle was still a force in run support and is adept at blitzing off the corner.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington
Another player who raised his stock at the Senior Bowl, where he answered questions about a wrist injury that sidelined him for the final six games of 2004. Excellent in both run and pass blocking and earned the respect of Iowa DE Matt Roth at the Senior Bowl, with Roth calling Barnes the best tackle he faced all season.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Mark Clayton, WR, Oklahoma
Has excellent speed and is one of the best in years at running after the catch, making Clayton a big-play threat who would give young QB Kyle Boller another option on the outside.

24. Green Bay Packers: Thomas Davis (jr.), OLB, Georgia
A punishing tackler who played safety in college, Davis has the size and speed to become a force in the front seven at the pro level.

25. Denver Broncos: Demarcus Ware, OLB, Troy
Needs to add a little bulk to his frame, but his quickness would give a boost to a Denver pass rush that was lackluster in 2004.

26. New York Jets: Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn
A physical player who is an asset in run support and also has the speed to be an outstanding cover man. Rogers was the best player on a very good Auburn defense thanks to his consistency and durability.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Browner (so.), CB, Oregon State
With his good size and speed, Browner is a consistent cover man who would be a nice complement to last year's top pick, fellow CB DeAngelo Hall.

28. San Diego Chargers: Roscoe Parrish (jr.), WR, Miami
A speedy guy who would round out a receiving corps bolstered this season by the addition of Keenan McCardell and the emergence of TE Antonio Gates. Parrish would also be an asset in the return game.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin
His combination of size, strength and athleticism make Hawthorne an ideal 4-3 defensive tackle. He knows how to handle double-team blocks and can create lost-yardage plays.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Heath Miller (jr.), TE, Virginia
A tremendous pass receiver and a willing blocker along the line, Miller would give young quarterback Ben Roethlisberger another weapon to complement his wide receivers and also be a help to the Pittsburgh running game.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Reggie Brown, WR, Georgia
Has excellent size and hands and gained plenty of attention with a good Senior Bowl showing. Would be a nice addition to a receiving corps led by Terrell Owens.

32. New England Patriots: Channing Crowder (so.), MLB, Florida
Crowder immediately became one of the best linebackers in college after setting foot on campus. He has all the skills and instincts to be a tremendous middle linebacker at the next level.

Borderline first-rounders

The players below are on the very fringe of the first round and depending on how things shake down some, all or none of them could ultimately end up being taken off the board in the first 31 selections:

He doesn't have Rolle going till 20 and Heath Miller till 30 (perhaps the Lions can make a move similar to last year if they really like Heath). That is interesting. He also has Derrick Johnson not being selected in the top 10. The Lions are going to face some tough choices if his first 9 picks pan out...

If Johnson is setting at 10 I think it is a no brainer Take johnson he is a great player.

February 9th, 2005, 12:42 pm

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

IMO these are good problems to have. If they can get a 1st rnd corner and a TE that would blow my mind.

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

February 9th, 2005, 12:50 pm

Leo

5th Round Pick - Traded

Joined: January 11th, 2005, 11:35 pmPosts: 1084

You think it's a no brainer to draft Johnson but I believe Millen will draft Travis Johnson before he drafts Derrick Johnson.

I belive if the Lions stay at #10 they will be drafting either a DL or OL depending on how free agency shakes out.

February 9th, 2005, 1:47 pm

LionsFan4Life

Fired Head Coach (0-16 record)

Joined: October 30th, 2004, 12:30 pmPosts: 2205Location: Austin, TX

As it looks w/ this mock that Barron would still be around and if that's the case I'd like for us to pick him up.

_________________

NEVER GIVE UP!

February 9th, 2005, 2:50 pm

Brian

QB Coach

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 8:33 pmPosts: 3222

Kiper is a moron if he thinks that 11 teams are going to pass on Derrick Johnson.

There is no way you could tell me that Al Davis will pass on that guy at #7.

Rolle... he may not be top 5... but he isn't 20th!

February 9th, 2005, 4:26 pm

spiderman

All State

Joined: August 11th, 2004, 1:38 pmPosts: 367Location: on the web

derrick johnson looks like a stud, just not sure if we need to add to the linebackers we already have. it would be a change to go after the best player available instead of for need.

February 9th, 2005, 4:37 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10066Location: Where ever I'm at now

Heath Miller at #30?! I highly doubt it. I can't see him getting past Denver at #25. He may not even get past Cincinnati at #17. Certainly if the Lions trade down and chose someone else, plus get extra picks, they would have to move back into round one to get Miller if he gets past Denver.

I just don't see the need at linebacker. Depending on free agency we have huge holes at Safety and probably on the OL. We also need a possession receiver and a sure-handed TE (Stephen Alexander is not the answer there.

_________________I am 35, and even though during my life the Lions have "bit the dust" more than their opponents have, I am forever a loyal fan. For some strange reason, I still believe that I will see the Lions in the Super Bowl in my lifetime.

February 10th, 2005, 10:56 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10066Location: Where ever I'm at now

I don't think the Lions would select Johnson at number 10. I am of the belief that should he be available there the Lions will have their phones ringing off the hooks with several teams offering to trade, and giving them solid deals in the process. Carolina, KC, and Minnesota would probably be willing to offer some picks for him. Philadelphia would probably offer some package of picks as well. Of course, I wouldn't make the deal with Minney; don't want to see DJ lined up against our boyz in Honolulu Blue and Silver now do we?
Same deal goes for Rolle or Pacman Jones if either falls to the tenth pick. I have a feeling teams will be looking to deal up to get either one of them and will want to move ahead of Dallas to do so.
I can't say that I agree with the Lions selection of Marcus Spears. I don't feel he has the natural pass rush ability to help at DE. The Lions may want to take him to move inside, but DT is not their top priority. Besides, I think that Spears is another player that will cause the phones to ring for the Lions on draft day.

FACE IT FOLKS, THE LIONS WILL TRADE DOWN IN ALL LIKELIHOOD.

February 10th, 2005, 11:48 am

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

m2karateman wrote:

FACE IT FOLKS, THE LIONS WILL TRADE DOWN IN ALL LIKELIHOOD.

Good...so far they have drafted well with the last couple drafts. The deals and picks they have made have greatly benifited the Lions.

Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, Kevin Jones, Teddy Lehman, Boss Baily are all not only starter quality but all seem to have bright futures and that's not including the pick of Big Baby and some of the others.

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

February 10th, 2005, 12:44 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10066Location: Where ever I'm at now

I have to say I agree, Millen has done a far better job of drafting than I could have hoped for when he was hired. In all my mock scenarios I have anticipated a trade down by the Lions for several reasons. At number ten there will not be a player of value the Lions need. The Lions not only need starters at S, TE, OG and possibly OT, but need depth along the OL, QB, WR and S. With the depth at WR this year and some of the players that will be available in middle rounds for safety, the Lions should seek to add picks. Mariucci was successful doing this in Frisco, and I suspect he may do the same this year in Motown.

February 10th, 2005, 1:00 pm

theAlphaMale

Site Admin

Joined: August 6th, 2004, 1:25 amPosts: 4920Location: Hills of Auburn

Well when you can list the names I did for guys that will not only start but many of them seem like they may be big time players in the league you gotta love it. Shaun Rogers one of the best DTs in the league, Roy and Charles(if healthy) could be the best youngest tandem at WR in the league and KJ already getting Pro Bowl consdierations. Not to mention the speed and skill of Bailey and Lehman at LB. That is pretty damn encouraging.

_________________Regards, Alpha|Lionbacker.com \(^o^)/"I date this girl for two years and then the nagging starts: I wanna know your name..." - Mike Binder

I agree that Millen's drafts have been strong. The nucleus of a good young team is there. They just have to fill in a few more pieces and put it together on the field. I was also hoping Woody, Bly, etc. would instill a little "winning" veteran leadership.

Also on Millen for a second. While his drafts have been top notch, some of his free agent signings (Schreoder, Hakim, Loverne), with the exception of Bly and Woody have not been so hot.

_________________I am 35, and even though during my life the Lions have "bit the dust" more than their opponents have, I am forever a loyal fan. For some strange reason, I still believe that I will see the Lions in the Super Bowl in my lifetime.